Mayors and CAOs across Canada are confronting a horrendous choice: Do they freeze major capital spending, push ahead, or do a stutter-step to see what on earth is going to happen.

The stock markets are roiled and frothing.

The international economic climate is in chaos.

The US imposition of tariffs is causing uncertainty and confusion, and every country has been put in a different situation. Even some suppliers and manufacturers are treated differently.

No one knows the answers.

The immediate economic and financial situation for municipalities is fraught with difficulty. Costs are certain to rise, in some cases significantly. Revenue is uncertain, as families see their own financial situation declining. Will local retailers survive? Will residents move? Will employment drop?

The federal and provincial governments are facing similar questions. If spending drops, their tax revenue declines. If tourism to Canada falters, lots of foreign tourist spending will be abandoned. If businesses start going under, there will be a further loss of tax revenue.

Some municipalities are already beginning to pause major project spending. That is completely understandable. The risk they take, of course, is higher costs when the project is restarted. It is a horrific management decision to make.

Canada's situation is further exacerbated by the federal election in three weeks. That always delays decision-making for all orders of government until the new federal government assumes power. Ironically, that may not be the worst thing right now—just sit back, take a couple of deep breaths, and see what's going to evolve in this crazy world.

Usually, the municipal decision-making color tree is relatively clear: green for go ahead, yellow for wait or pause, red for don't proceed.

Right now, the colors are a constantly shifting kaleidoscope of blues, oranges, purples, whites, blacks, magenta and every other color imaginable.

It makes planning by cities and towns really, really hard.

It makes decisions even more difficult.